Gas-engine.



` J. LOPTUS.

GAS ENGINE.

APPLIOATION FILED DB0. 17, 1910.

Patented Apr. 9, 1912 AJE JOHN LOFTUS, OF ALBANY, NEN YRK.

GAS-ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 17, 1910. Serial No. 597,750.

To ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JonN Lor'rUs, a citrzen of the United States,residing` at Albany, in the county of Jlbany and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful improvements in Gas-Engines, ofwhich-the followingV isa specification.

My invention/relates to improvements 1nq engines, the primary objectbeing to pro-Vo vide a generally improved internal combustion engine ofsimple, cheap, and efficient construction, and in which the 'ariousparts may be readily removed or disassembled for inspection or repair.

A further object of the invention is to improve the control and exhaust'alves and ports or passages leading to the power and compressioncylinders or chambersas well as to improve the general construction andarrangement of the control and exhaust valves whereby the latter areadapted to be actuated by the operating` fluid.

Generally speaking.,y the invention consists in uniting the power andcompression cylinders and pistons in integral structures in axial linewith each other, the power cylinder being' of reduced diameter, and the.pistons comprisinga piston shell or trunk consisting of a compression orpump piston and a concentric reduced power or working piston operable insaid cylinders and. forming` an annular compression or pump chamberabout said power or working` piston and within said compression or pumpcylinder.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved means forregulating the admission of the explosive mixture to the compression orpump cylinder and thence to the explosion chamber of the power cylinderby alternatel)7 operating fluid actuated valves and regulating the Howof the explosive mixture or charge to the explosion or ring chamber aswell as the exhaust'. from said chamber by and in accordance with thespeed of the engine.

With the above mentioned and other ends in view, the invention consistsin the novel construction, arraim'ement. and combination of parts,hereinafter described, illust ated in the accompanying drawings, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the acompanyinoj drawings forming a` part of thisspecification, the tigure is a central vertical sectional view 01"' avertical engine constructed in accordance with my invention, takenthro-ugh the improved fluid actuated 'control and exhaust,l

valvechambers and valves thereof.

' The improved engine may be cooledV or water jacketed in any suitableor coi'ivenient manner, the water jacket feature of the engineloeinpomitted for the purpose clearer illustration of the working partscomprised in this invent-ion.

The improved engine comprises a power or working,` cylinder l, and anenlarged conipression or pump cylinder 2, the latter beingextended andforming the main body portion of the engine and mounted upon a crankcase or base 3. The crank case forms a suitable oil containingrecpptacle 3, in which the crank 4, andadjacent end of the crank orpitman 5, are adapted to pass in `agitatingl the contained lubricantlanddistributing the same to the adjacent parts in a well known andunderstood manner. The crank shaft la, is mounted in suitable bearingson the crank case or base 3, and as a means for providing acommunication between the interior of the crank case 8 below the pistonand the atmosphere so as to avoid the formation of a vacuum in the crankcase or base l, one or more vent openings G, connected if desired toupwardly extending' vent pipes C, may be pro vided.

The improved pistons areI preferably formed integral in thc form of ashell trunk or structure as shown, said integral shell or structurecomprising a compression or working piston 7, adapted to reciprocate inthe power or .vorking cylinder il, and an enlarged concentriccompression or pump piston 8,01? larger area adapted to reciprocate inthe compression or pump cylinder 2, said power and pump cylinders andpistons forming conjointly an annular` compression and pump chamber 9.

rlhe explosive mixture is adapted to be received into the pump chamber9, through an induction port or passage l0, provided in thepresentinstance with an inlet or conduit. pipe 10a, leading to asuitable carburoter, said conduit pipe being provided` with a checkvalve ll, of any suitable or desired construction.

As a means for transferring the explosive charge from the compression orpump chamber 9, to the power or explosion chamber of the workingcylinder l, as well as regulatingand controlling the admission of thePatented Apr. 9, 1912.

loo

explosive charge to the latter said chambers are provided with andintersected by suitable ports or passages 12, said passages beingprovided in the present instance .by means of conduit pipes 12aintersectcd by 'a control valve-chamber 18, formed .within a suitablevalve body or chest 111. A fluid acl tuated control valve 15,` isadapted to operate Within the valve-chamber 13, and to be seated upon avalve seat 13a.

As a means for adapting the valve l5, to be moved to its seat by theoperating fluid as hereinafter explained, said valve is provided with anextended or sleeve portion 15a, having annular grooves adapted toreceive and contain pac ring rings or material, and as a means foradjusting the sensitiveness of the valve in its movement to and from itsseat or closed position, a spring 16, is provided, said spring beingadapted to be regulated by means of an adjusting bolt 17, said boltbearing upon one end of the spring and passing out through a valve bodycap or cover 18, as shown. f

A check valve19, is preferably provided in the conduit passage 12,intermediate the control valve chamber 13, and compression or pumpchamber 9, as a guard against undue back action of the explosive chargeor the liability of the combustion or firing of the combustion charge inthe tire chamber or space in the power or working cylinder being carriedinto the chamber 9, in.

ease of failure or improper working of the control valve 15,

As a means for expelling o r exhausting the prpducts of combustion'orexploded gas` from'the working or the power cylinder as well regulatingthe exhaust, an exhaust port or passage 20, is provided, said exhaustpassage being formed by means of an exhaust pipe 20, communicating withan exhaust valve chamber 21, provided with a fluidraetuated exhaustvalve 22. The exhaust valve 22 has a piston form similar to the controlvalve 15, and is adapted to be seated on a valve seat 21a. An exhaustopening 22, and an exhaust base 22a, leading to an exhaust pipe 23areprovided, and as a means for actuating and closing the control andexhaust valvesl 15, and 22, just prior to the exploding of the explosivecharge in the firing space of the power cylinder 1, as well as holdingsaid valves closed during the active working or explosive movement ofthe power piston, a communicating passq ge is provided leading from thefiring chamber portion of the power' cylinder to the control and exhaustvalve chambers 13, and 21, said lluid passage being provided in thepresent instance by means of a common conduit pipe 24, intersecting As ameans for opening the exhaust valve 22, at the proper time and at ornear the conclusion of the working stroke of the pistens, :i pistonplunger member 25, is provided, said plunger member being adapted toreciprocate within a chamber 26, of a cylinder 26a, said piston 25,preferably litting somewhat loosely therein and being adapted to beoperated by operating fluid from the power or working cylinder ashereinafter ex-V plained. The piston plunger' member is provided with anarm 25, working through ering or opening of the inlet port or passage31, leading from the power. cylinder andv formed by means of a conduitpipe 31a.

As a means for regulating the operation of the piston plunger member'25, and valve 22,y in accordance with the speed of the engine, a secondconduit pipe 31b is provided (for a slow speed or working of theengine), and the inlet ports 31 of the respective pipes 31a and 31", maybe opened or` closed by means of a slide valve 32, operating in a valvechest 32a, said slide valve being provided with a stem 33, adapted to bemanually operated in any suitable and convenient manner. An opening 34,in the cylinder'26a leads into the chamber 26 immediately above thepiston ring portion of the plunger member 25, so as to prevent theformation of a vacuum or the compression of air or other Huidintermediate the head of the plunger member and the partition plate 28,when said plunger member is operated.

When the working and pump pistons 7, and 8, are traveling upward, theexhaust valve 22, remains open, thus permitting the exploded charge ordead gases ,to be forced' out of the working cylinder while 'a freshcharge is being compressed in the compression cylinder -1, and shortlybefore the working piston covers the exhaust port 20, the valve 15,suddenly opens and the freshv charge under compressionin the lower orcompression cylinder rushes into the work' ing cylinder and charges thesame andduring the initial tiow of' the fresh charge the latter drivesout. the remaining portion of the spent or dead gases through theexhaust port, and just before the latter is Closed by the workingpiston. lVlieu the explosion is nii-ade or shortly valre is closed andis moving to reduce pressine and during the dowmvard movement of thecompression piston a fresh charge is received in the coin.- pressioncylinder and the charge retained therein and compressed by the tensionof the spring on the valve l5. The purpose of the valve i5, is to retainthe compressed gases or charge in the compression. cylinder until thepistons reach a predetermined point, the pressure in the compressioncylinder being regulated by the tension of the spring 16, on the valvel5. Finthermore, as before stated, the area ot' the compression pistonis greater than that of the Working piston, vand furthermore, therey isinoreclearanee above the working piston than above the compressionpiston. lt' both pist,f ns had the saine area and clearance a pointwould be reached where they would balanee and no barge would be madefrom the compresi to the working cylinder. reason oif the constructionshown and mi the valve l5, is adapted to`be open t at a proper time andwhen it opens it will Je observed that the explosive charge is underhigi pressure and much exceeding that in the working cylinder by reasonof the tension ot.' the spring and the relative construction andarrzingement of the parts as above de ilied.

ltvill he 1" served that while the valve 2372, is in the positionshownin the drawings il ope 1s eonnminication between working` cvlinder andthe plunger cylinder 26,

through both et the pipes 3l, and 3l, and that when the valve is raisedto its elevated -oosition it closes communication through iron pipe31"-, and opens communication pipe 3l, the valve 32, being d in L whenraised the lower o 331'. inwoning deseription, taken in with theaccompanying drawings, the operation and advantages of my 4#inventionwill be readily understood.

i-laving' thus described an embodiment of niv invention, what l claimand desire to secure by Letters latent isf- I l. Yin a Aras engine, alpower 'cylinder and ion cylinder, valve chamber a port. leading to thepower two ports one leading to the r and the other to the com fable.member mounter between the two .t said first menr znaii'itainingsaid'fosed position relail a predetermined sa i il coni-pression 'ai nationoi' a stylin-der? l thereafter the exhaust i a .'alve clrniler, amovable member in said the compression piston connjiartnierns, a portleading trom one of er dividino' the latter into two valve saidcompartments to the power Cylinder, two ports leading from the othercompartment one ot said ports connnnnicating with the power cylinder andthe other with the compression eylinc and a spring for maintaining saidmovable member in a closed position until a predetermined pressure isreached in said. compression cylinder.

3. n a gas engine, the combination of a power cylinder and a compressioncylinder, a Vvalve chamber, a movabley member in said valve Chamber anddividing the same into two compartments, a port opening into onecompartment and leading to the power cylinder, and two ports openinginto the other compartment. one port leading to the power cylinder andthe other to the comi ression cylinder, said movable member beingadapted to close the port leading to the compression cylinder, and meansfor maintaining the movable member in a closed potion until apredetermined pressure is reached in said compression cylinder.

4e. ln gas engine, a power cylinder and a compression cylinder, a valvechamber, a movable member therein and dividing said chamber into twocompartments, said valve chamber being provided with a port leading fromone of said compartments tothe power cylinder and two ports leading-from the other compartment, one of' the latter leading to thepowercylinder and the other to the com pression cylinder, a spring forvvmaintaining;l said movable member 1n a closed position relative to saidport leading to said compression cylinder until a predetermined"=ie.=.s1ire is reached in the latter, and mee for regulating thetension of sprin ln a gas engine, a power cylinder, a power pistontherein, an exhaust passage leading from the power cylinder, a valvechamber located in said exhaust passage, a movable member in the lvalvechamber adapted to close the exhaust passage and provide a' compartmentabove it, a port opening into said compartment and leading to the powerc vlinder, a secondary cylinder, a piston in said secondary cylinderadapted to actuate said movable member7 and passages leading from thepower cylinder to said secondary cylinder and adapted to be controlledby said power piston.

6. :in a engine, a power cylinder, a power piston therein. an exhaustpassage leading1 'from said power cylinder and provided with a valve cha,da movablcinenilier in said valve chamber adapted to close the exhaustpassage and provide a conipertinent above it, a pori, loading troni saidcompartment to the power ovlinder, a secondarj. ej'linsler, a i ton thin and adapted to actuate the movable member in'said valve chamber, twoports leadingl to said secondary cylinder and spaced longitudinally ofthe power cylinder' and adapted to be controlled by the power piston,and a Valve adapted in one `position to open both of said ports and inthe other position to close one of .aid ports and open the other.

7. A `gas engine, comprising` a compression cylinder and a concentricpower cylinder oi reduced diameter, a power piston carrying' acompression piston and forming an annular compression chamber withinsaid compression cylinder, a fluid inlet port leading' to said cylinder,a fuel-charge conduit leading from said compression cylinder to saidpower cylinder, a fiuid control valve located in said fuel-chargeconduit, an exhaust conduit leading from said power cylinder, a fluidactuated exhaust valve located in said exhaust conduit, a plungercylinder, a plunger in said plunger cylinder in `cooperative relation tosaid exhaust valve,

power cylinder ports leading to said plunger cylinder and adapted to heopened and closed by said power piston, and a power' cylinder conduitleading to said fluid control and exhaust valves and adapted to holdsaid valves in a closed position While the charge is being compressed.

8. A engine, comprising a compression cylinder and a power cylinder, apower piston and a compression piston operable therein, a Huid inletyport leading into said compression cylinder, a fuel-Charge conduitleading from said compression cylinder to said power cylinder, a fluidcontrol Valve located in said fuel-charge conduit, an exhaust conduitleadingfrom said powei1 cylinder, a fluid actuated exhaust valve locatedin said exhaust conduit, a plunger cylinder, a plunger in said plungercylinder in cooperative relation to said exhaust Valve, power cylinderports leading to said plun ger cylinder and adapted to be opened andclosed by said power piston, and a power cylinder conduitleadingto saidfluid control and exhaustvalves and adapted to hold. said Valves in aclosed position while the charge is being,` compressed.

In testimony whereof have ailixed my signature in presence ot twowitnesses.

JOHN LOFTUS.

Witnesses WALTER B. PALMATIER, FRED A. Weiss.

